Keep looking toward God, not past

“’Run for your lives!’ the angels warned. Do not stop anywhere in the valley. And don't look back! Escape to the mountains or you will die.” — Genesis 19:17

God decided he was going to destroy the villages of Sodom and Gomorrah. The angels of the Lord told Lot and his family to leave the village as the Lord instructed them. Lot begged the angels not to make them leave. God told Lot that if he could find 50 righteous people, he would spare the village. The angels told them to leave and run for their lives. They were told to flee to the mountains and seek refuge there.

Lot kept asking for more time to get out of town, and each time the angel would grant his wish. The angel asked if he had any family in the village and to get them out with everyone else. Lot was instructed by the angel to hurry and get out of town. Lot told the people of a small village nearby where they could go. They were told to leave right away and not to look. However, Lot’s wife looked back and turned to a pillar of salt.

If we were given instructions by an angel of the Lord, what would we do? Would we spend our time looking back, or would we take instructions? So many times we keep looking back instead of walking forward with the Lord. Sometimes we look back so much that we can’t go forward with the Lord.

By looking forward, we can follow Jesus Christ and let him lead us. Let’s move forward and let Jesus Christ provide us with everything we need. Let’s go through life with him.

Are you looking backward like Lot’s wife did, or are you looking forward with Jesus Christ?

• Westbrook is a member of PearlUnitedMethodistChurch and a frequent contributor to the “Advocate.”

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